Mathias Nygaard

At the University College of Volda I teach religious studies, philosophy, and intercultural studies.

My research is centered on the inquiry: "What is a human being?" This interrogation encompasses an examination of human self-representation and self-comprehension within various frameworks. My technical expertise lies mainly within the fields of cultural sociology and intellectual history. Additionally, my broader interests encompass classical themes in cultural history, such as sacrifice, myths, ecstasy, death, and heroes.

At present, I am engaged in projects that synthesize cognitive sciences and the humanities, with a particular emphasis on mimetic practices.

Work Experience

2024- Professor, Volda University College, Norway.

2023 Associate Professor, Volda University College, Norway.

2018-2023 Associate Professor and Research Dean, The Newman Institute, Uppsala, Sweden.

2016-2017 Associate Professor (temporary), Volda University College.

2012-2014 Visiting Researcher (Comparative Philosophy), Kobe University, Japan.

2007-2008 Visiting Researcher (Ancient Religions of the Middle East), University of Tübingen, Germany.

Various temporary positions at OsloMet, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, etc. (2010-2018).

Experience as peer-reviewer, external examiner, translator, member of academic societies, board member, etc. (2010-)

Education

2018- Sociology, psychology, Uppsala University, Linnæus University.

2005-2010 PhD in Religious Studies, University of Aberdeen.

2008- Languages, Kobe University, Uppsala University, Dalarna University (Japanese, Chinese, Hebrew, Arabic, Ugaritic, Akkadian, Greek, Latin, Georgian, German, etc.).

2006-2007 MA in Archaeology, École Biblique et Archéologique Française de Jérusalem.

2004-2005 MTh in Religious Studies, University of Aberdeen.

Early representations of the human, masks from Nahal Hemar, 7000 bce.